Rasheed jan, as long as you don't live in Claifornia or some other mild winter place. You should be fine. zoqal axte or Cornelian Cherry, is a kind of Dogwood. Here in the western U.S. it grows well in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the Nevada/California boarder. In other words, it needs snow!!! I really envy you. I have always wanted a Zoqal axte tree. I tried to grow one once on the roof-top of my aprtment in NYC; but my sub-letter killed it!!! I hope you have lots of fruit this spring, and that you keep us posted. regards Roxi
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hehehehe...I envy _you_ for being able to grow deraxte anAr!!! I've killed a couple in the past few years! I had been told that they wouldn't grow here, but I thought "just maybe...!!!"

Yeah...this spring I should get a whole bunch...if you, or any other SCIers, happen to be in the Chicago area let me know...I'll let you sample some home grwon zoqAl axte!!!

BTW, like you said, its common name is Cornelian Cherry, but its real scientific name is Cornus mas. I had a hard time finding a "Cornelian Cherry" tree when I called different nurseries...while they all carried "Cornus mas!!!!!" I guess they go by scientific names when it comes to unusual trees. I've even asked for "neutered charcoal" tree...nobody knew what I was talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, well, I do have one of those. There is a shah toot (Persian Mullberry) tree down the street from my house. The people who own the house think I am crazy for eating the stuff, and let me go by and take as much as I want. I havn't tried to change their mind. I figure what they don't know won't hurt them!!!! Maybe we can work out some sort of a trade. roxi
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There's one plant in your list, that was published here some time ago, that I have something to say about, and that's the Cornus mas. It is almost hardy here in the North of Sweden. It survives the winters although branch tips usually dry up. Nevertheless it is a beautiful shrub that I think will make good bonsai as long as you have a mild climate. (Not in the Florida-type-of-sense. HA! And don't you dare think I'm jealous during the winters! :-) )

Here in Sweden there are some examples of Cornus alba bonsai that have responded very well to training. The large leaves do not mind to shrink, and they shrink quite a bit too! The beautiful flowering and berrying take place yearly "no matter how it's treated". Well almost... A good thing with C. alba is that we get variegated varieties! (Not at all that many around that are hardy!!!) Furthermore, C. alba have brightly coloured bark on the shoots under the age of 3, then cork is formed that takes away the lustrous shine...

If Cornus alba (and varieties) don't appear on your list, feel free to add them! My personal experience is limited to the many shrubberies that I've rejuvenated and the real life bonsai I've studied. Next year I will start: A Cornus Line! :-)

IMHO the hardy Cornus alba seem to be very easy to get along with and at the same time present a variation that is pleasant, so I think that the mark "suitable for beginners thru experts" can be given.

Cornus mas, the Cornelian Cherry. Also known as the Cornel tree. "On the slope of the Palatine Hill grew a cornel tree whcih was esteemed one of the most sacred objects in Rome. Whenever the tree appeared to a passer-by to be drooping (sic) he set up a hue and cry which was echoed by the people in the street, and soon a crowd might be seen running helter-skelter from all sides with buckets of water as if (says Plutarch) they were hastening to put out a fire." The Golden Bough : J.G.Frazer.

>
>Has anyone in the group tried to air layer Cornus florida?
>I have two old tree's on my property that have been damaged by previous
>owners ( they used a weed wacker against the trunks) and I want to air layer
>a few branches before it is too late.

Dominick:

Be on the look out for Discula anthracnose. Dark spots appear on the leaves and flower bracts in the spring. The infection moves to the twigs and branches. Once the dark spots, conidiomata, produce spores which adhere to the trunk, the transfer of moisture and nutrients from the roots to the branches eventually stops. The tree dies.

Unfortunately, it is killing off Cornus florida and Cornus nuttalia in the US. If your bonsai acquires this infection, you will need to blast it with Benomyl every week throughout the growing season, and it still may not live.

Before you put a large piece of your life into this specimen, I thought that you should know the risk. Cornus kousa seems to be immune to the infection.

* Well she isn't a
*twig dogwood, she's Cornus mas or Cornelian cherry. Alas I don't get
*the wonderful ellipsoid, fleshy,bright red fruit that the book speaks
*of, I must need another tree for that......give me time, I will get it,
*too. I want those fruit!

Madgardener, I have these too! Took me forever to figure out what they are cause the bloom is yellow and (to me) looks like a witch hazel. Does yours bloom?

Blooms starting in Feb. on new growth and it was quite a sight with the snow piled up on those bright yellow flowers. Still in bloom right now. I've got two and they both bore loads of the cherries last fall - can't remember exactly when. Had to rake them up & throw them away in 5 gallon buckets. Birds apparently have no taste for it. It is bitter. But, they are a very pretty tree in all 4 seasons.

Mine were poorly pruned before I moved in and so I have started the corrective shaping - unfortunately not as many blooms means I'll have less fruit this year. But, you are welcome to as much of the fruit as you want.